Systems and methods for distributing content using attributes

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for distributing content between fixed and nomadic servers using attributes. Attributes may relate to, inter alia, the type of content, location of a fixed and/or nomadic content server, a vehicle that includes a nomadic server, an ability to use content, a need for content, vehicle owner information, and/or time.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for providing one or more package items to a provided nomadic server, the nomadic server positioned on a provided vehicle, the nomadic server moves with the vehicle, the system comprising:
 a fixed server positioned at a location, wherein while the vehicle is positioned at the location, the fixed server:
 applies a rule to detect whether a match exists between a first attribute of the one or more package items and a second attribute, the vehicle comprises the second attribute, each package item comprises a content, a respective unique identifier, and the first attribute; 
 transmits a first notice, the first notice comprises the unique identifier of each package item for which the match exists; and 
 receives a second notice, the second notice comprises one or more of the unique identifiers of the first notice, each unique identifier of the second notice corresponds to a respective package item not stored by the nomadic server on the vehicle. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein the fixed server further transmits the content of one or more package items of the second notice. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein the first notice does not include the content of any package item. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  wherein the fixed server evaluates a Boolean expression to apply the rule. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein the fixed server:
 evaluates a Boolean expression to apply the rule; and 
 the rule indicates a match when a result of the evaluation is true. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first attribute and the second attribute comprises at least one of a flight number, a gate number, an airline identifier, a truck number, and a job number. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  wherein the fixed server further receives the second attribute when the nomadic server establishes communication with the fixed server. 
     
     
       8. A method performed by a fixed server for providing one or more package items to a nomadic server, each package item comprising a content, a respective unique identifier, and a first attribute, the fixed server positioned at a location, the method comprising:
 applying a rule to detect whether a match exists between the first attribute of the one or more package items and a second attribute, the vehicle comprising the second attribute, the vehicle positioned at the location, the nomadic server positioned on the vehicle, the nomadic server moves with the vehicle; 
 transmitting a first notice, the first notice comprising the unique identifier of each package item for which the match exists; and 
 receiving a second notice, the second notice comprising one or more of the unique identifiers of the first notice, each unique identifier of the second notice corresponding to a respective package item not stored by the nomadic server on the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  further comprising transmitting the content of one or more package items of the second notice. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8  wherein the first notice does not include the content of any package item. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8  further comprising receiving the second attribute when the nomadic server establishes communication with the fixed server. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8  wherein applying the rule comprises evaluating a Boolean expression. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8  wherein:
 applying the rule comprises evaluating a Boolean expression; and 
 the rule indicates the match when a result of the evaluation is true. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the first attribute and the second attribute comprises at least one of a flight number, a gate number, an airline identifier, a truck number, and a job number. 
     
     
       15. A method performed by a providing server for providing one or more package items to a receiving server, each package item comprising a content, a respective unique identifier, and a first attribute, the method comprising:
 applying a rule to detect whether a match exists between the first attribute of the one or more package items and a second attribute, the receiving server comprising the second attribute, the one or more package items stored by the providing server; 
 transmitting a first notice, the first notice comprising the unique identifier of each package item for which the match exists; and 
 receiving a second notice, the second notice comprising one or more of the unique identifiers of the first notice, each unique identifier of the second notice corresponding to a respective package item not stored by the receiving server. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  further comprising transmitting the content of one or more package items of the second notice. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15  wherein the first notice does not include the content of any package item. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the first attribute and the second attribute comprises at least one of a flight number, a gate number, an airline identifier, a truck number, and a job number. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15  further comprising receiving the second attribute from the receiving server.